Criminal complaints issued against Mattapoisett fire lieutenant

Wednesday

Mar 12, 2014 at 12:05 AMMar 12, 2014 at 12:34 AM

WAREHAM — A clerk magistrate has issued six counts of embezzlement against Fire Lt. Patrick Saltmarsh, after a hearing Tuesday in Wareham District Court, according to Mattapoisett Police Chief Mary Lyons.

CURT BROWN

WAREHAM — A clerk magistrate has issued six counts of embezzlement against Fire Lt. Patrick Saltmarsh, after a hearing Tuesday in Wareham District Court, according to Mattapoisett Police Chief Mary Lyons.

He was the association's treasurer and was the keeper of its credit card, checking account and check book, according to Lyons.

The complaints were issued by Daryl G. Manchester, clerk magistrate of Wareham District Court, according to Saltmarsh's attorney, Philip Beauregard of New Bedford.

In a statement, Beauregard said Saltmarsh has enjoyed "an unblemished and highly positive reputation," professionally and personally, in the Mattapoisett community for years.

The attorney also said there is "a total lack of credible evidence" in the case against his client.

"The insistence on pursuing these charges will now necessarily lead to public revelation of information and documents that will result in a clear showing that Lt. Saltmarsh never misused any of the $1,300 in funds for which he now stands irresponsibly accused, including an allegation of embezzlement for a $20 payment for a firefighter seminar," Beauregard said in a statement.

Lyons disagreed with Beauregard, saying there is "enough evidence" to go forward with the case.

Although police do not know what he did with all the funds, Lyons said Saltmarsh used association money to make an online tax payment for $305.76 to the state Department of Revenue.

He also used $20 in association funds to attend a fire training class in Rhode Island, she said.

The withdrawals were discovered in January when the association elected new officers and did a review of its accounts, she said. The transactions to the Department of Revenue got the new officers' attention because the association is tax-exempt, she said.

Beauregard has said his client used the wrong debit card to pay his taxes and reimbursed the association when he learned of the mistake.

Saltmarsh also made one $200 and two $300 withdrawals to pay for food for firefighters to eat after fighting fires as a matter of convenience, the attorney said.